#27: Global Warming, Critical Thinking, and Misinformation Inoculation

In this episode, I am speaking with John Cook about global warming, critical thinking, and misinformation inoculation. We discuss: •His science journey and how he started out in physics, moved away from science after graduation, but then was drawn back to it later in life. •How in the long break between his Bachelor's and PhD, he was working in graphic design, cartooning, and founded the climate change website Skeptical Science. •The origins of his interest in global warming and how discussions with his climate change denying father-in-law inspired him to start Skeptical Science. •How social pressure is highly influential and leads many to hold flawed beliefs. •How one of the best ways to combat misinformation is through what's known as inoculation, which is where critical thinking is very helpful. •The concept of parallel argumentation. •And other topics. John Cook is a research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University. His research focus is understanding and countering misinformation about climate change, with an emphasis on using critical thinking to build resilience. He founded Skeptical Science and authored the book Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change, combining climate science, critical thinking, and cartoons to explain and counter climate misinformation. He also co-authored the college textbooks Climate Change: Examining the Facts and Climate Change Science: A Modern Synthesis and the book Climate Change Denial: Heads in the Sand. You can find links related to our discussion here: Cranky Uncle game: http://crankyuncle.com/game Skeptical Science: http://skepticalscience.com Debunking Handbook 2020: http://sks.to/db2020 Research comparing critical thinking vs. cartoon analogy corrections: http://sks.to/humorvsnonhumor You can find this episode on our YouTube channel as well: https://youtu.be/bGQYnVH6WHo This show is supported and produced by Final Stretch Media. Final Stretch believes in creating something that disrupts attention spans and challenges the marketing status quo. They do this by creating high quality visual content that captivates your audience. You can find them on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fsmedia2020 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finalstretch_media/ This show is also supported by QuikLee; the creators of Brain Racers. The world's first ever live racing competition for the brain. Download their app and play live on the weekends on an iOS device against the world. I have raced and it's a blast! App Download: https://apple.co/33n8aJs